CANDELARIA 9 VAPOR 5 — 154 MW Oil

Candelaria 9 Vapor 5 holds the distinction of being the 138th largest power generation facility in Spain, contributing a capacity of 153.94 MW to the national grid. This facility represents a 0.13% share of Spain’s total capacity of 122,104 MW, where natural gas is the dominant fuel type. As an oil-fired power plant operated by UNION ELECTRICA DE CANARIAS GENERACION S.A.U., Candelaria 9 Vapor 5 underscores the historical significance of oil in the Canary Islands’ energy mix, despite a broader national trend towards gas. Commissioned in 1979, the facility employs technology that has seen considerable advancements over the decades, although oil remains a less favored option in the current European energy landscape. Its proximity to other plants such as Granadilla 1 Gas 1 (693.34 MW) and the Central Eléctrica de Caletillas (288 MW), both also utilizing oil, illustrates a regional cluster where oil remains a critical component of electricity generation, particularly in meeting localized energy demands. The presence of smaller oil plants like Arona 1 Gas 1 and Guia de Isora Gas 1, both under 50 MW, further highlights the diversity of energy sources in the vicinity. In contrast, the emergence of solar facilities, such as Solten (19.7 MW), marks a shift towards renewable sources, which are becoming increasingly crucial in Spain’s energy transition. With a total of 981 power facilities across the country, Candelaria 9 Vapor 5’s role as an oil plant is especially noteworthy given Spain’s ambitious climate targets and the European Union’s drive to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As the energy landscape evolves, the facility may need to adapt to changing regulations and market conditions, while its historical legacy as part of the Canary Islands’ energy infrastructure remains significant.